Strange said the new rules proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency, which aim to cut carbon emissions by 30 percent by 2030, would be unlawful because they are outside the authority Congress gave the EPA under the Clean Air Act.

Strange said the rules would result in increased electricity rates, and that consumers will be left to ask why they are paying more "when those reductions cannot and will not impact the global climate."

Strange said the rules would have no discernible benefit because they would be offset by increasing carbon emissions from China and other developing economies.

He said that although the rules would allow states some flexibility that Alabama would have only a narrow range of costly options.

The hearing, entitled "Climate Change, the Need to Act Now," was held by the Clean Air and Nuclear Safety Subcommittee of the Environment and Public Works Committee.

Sessions, a member of the subcommittee, invited Strange to testify. Strange was one of seven witnesses.

The committee heard both sides of the issue, as some of the other witnesses and senators spoke out strongly in favor of the rules.

Sessions, during his opening remarks, responded to remarks a few minutes earlier by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., who blamed "Super Storm" Sandy on climate change.

"I would note that Hurricane Sandy wasn't a hurricane," Sessions said. "By the time it hit shore it was a tropical storm. We're not seeing increases in hurricanes."

Sessions said evidence does not indicate an increase in droughts, floods or tornadoes, either.

Sessions told the committee that they should consider the effects of the proposed rules on people they represent who are working and paying bills, especially considering the struggling economy.

"And we have to ask ourselves, are we doing something to this economy that's not good for us," Sessions said.

Former EPA Administrator William Ruckelshaus said warnings of economic peril have always been used to fight important environmental regulations. He said those predictions of dire economic consequences have been wrong.

The climate change issue is difficult and complex but the need for action is urgent requires U.S. leadership, Ruckelshaus said.

Ruckelshaus was the first EPA administrator, serving under President Nixon, and later returned to lead the agency under President Reagan.

Three other former EPA administrators who served under Republican presidents also testified in favor of new carbon emission restrictions --- Lee Thomas, William Reilly and Christine Todd Whitman.

"We have a scientific consensus around this issue," Whitman said. "We also need a political consensus."

Updated at 1:04 p.m. to add last two paragraphs. Updated at 6:56 p.m. to add three more paragraphs at the bottom.